Author: Veronica

“Art in the Stacks” artist Judy Belasco

Judy Belasco grew up surrounded by artists and art. She is the granddaughter of Roy C. Nuse, a Pennsylvania impressionist and daughter of modernist, Oliver Nuse. She equates that lineage with forming her love of creating art and exploring Nature. She won a scholarship to Philadelphia College of Art where she studied painting and photography, and received a BFA in 1972. Later in Maine she studied digital photography with John Paul Caponigro and painting with Linden Frederick.

Judy taught art at Germantown Friends School for 32 years and then retired to focus full-time on painting. She maintains studios in Stockton Springs and Philadelphia. Her work is included in Art of Acadia by Carl and David Little (Down East Books, 2016). She is represented in Maine at the Courthouse Gallery, in Ellsworth and in Philadelphia at the F. A. N. Gallery. You can view her work at Courthousegallery.com.

“I love being out there in nature with the sky, the tides, the wind, the trees and the ever present, unfolding Beauty.”

Judy Belasco

Stockton Springs Community Library (SSCL) is please to be partnering with Judy Belasco in presenting her work at the upcoming “Art in the Stacks” event, which is to be held during SSCL’s open hours: Monday and Wednesday 3-5; Tuesday 4-7; Thursday 9-12 and 6:30-8:30; and Saturday 9-3 from September 3 through October 8. For more information contact the library at 207-567-4147.

Art in the Stacks: “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” Nursery Quilt

As part of the Stockton Springs Community Library’s “Art in the Stacks” this charming Peter Rabbit hand embroidered quilt will be on display in the Reading Room of the library from September 8 through October 3. The quilt is available to the highest bidder by silent auction. All proceeds benefit the Library Endowment Fund, which has been managed by Maine Community Foundation since 2013.

Inspired by the Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit stories and hand made by one of our long-time library volunteers, Edna aka “E.J.” Pikulski, the “Tale of Peter Rabbit” is told through 6 embroidered vignettes sure to charm any child. The quilt is perfect for displaying on a crib or nursery wall and for reading aloud to a child.

The Silent Auction runs from September 8 through October 3. Open library hours are Monday and Wednesday 3-5; Tuesday 4-7; Thursday 9-12 and 6:30-8:30; and Saturday 9-3. If you are unable to visit the library in person you can still place a bid by calling the library at 207-567-4147 or sending an email to stocktonstaff@stocktonsprings.lib.me.us.

Stockton Springs Community Library is an independent 501(c)3 all volunteer library. Fundraisers, such as this silent auction, are one of our primary means of continuing to offer a free community library for years to come.

Stockton Springs Community Library to offer “Art in the Stacks” September 8 through October 31

REVISED: Date extended to October 31 due to popularity. As art is sold the artists are providing additional new works to take their place. Come visit often!

Stockton Springs Community Library (SSCL) is pleased to offer “Art in the Stacks” at the library from September 8 through October 31, 2020. The art show and sale will feature multiple works by local artists Judy Belasco, Sarah Faragher, Scott Moore, Betty Schopmeyer, Anne Spencer and Peter Walls.

All of the artwork, displayed among the book stacks, will be available for purchase from the artists. The library will earn a gallery commission for each piece sold, which will go into the SSCL Library Endowment Fund. The library would prefer checks only, payable to SSCL (Stockton Springs Community Library). The endowment fund, which is managed by the Maine Community Foundation since 2015, was established in 2013 to ensure that a free community library will remain open in Stockton Springs for future generations to enjoy.

Those who have attended the past six SSCL Pie and Art Festivals will already know these artists and their work. For those who don’t, or want a refresh, SSCL will feature one artist each day on its blog and Facebook page leading up to the opening.

“Art in the Stacks” will be available to the public during the library’s open hours: Monday and Wednesday 3-5; Tuesday 4-7; Thursday 9-12 and 6:30-8:30; and Saturday 9-3 from September 3 through October 31.

Stockton Springs Community Library is an all volunteer 501(c)3 library located in Stockton Springs, Maine. Membership is free to anyone from any community. Call us at 207-567-4147 if you have any questions.

Fall Book and Bake Sale at Stockton Springs Community Library September 12

Stockton Springs Community Library is holding a Fall Book and Bake Sale at the library on Saturday, September 12, from 8 am till 1 pm (unless we sell out earlier). So come and find that special book or two, the movies and shows you’ve always wanted. While you are here, we are sure you will not be able to leave without buying some scrumptious homemade baked goods! Our volunteers really know how to bake your favorites. So put this date on your calendar and don’t miss it!

Additional donations of baked goods (homemade only) are certainly welcome to help us make this event successful.

If you’ve been holding on to books to donate, we need to ask you to hang on to them until next year if you can. Our limited storage space is already bursting at the seams.

Thank you to all who help support SSCL in so many ways. We hope to see you on September 12 at the Fall Book and Bake Sale! Face masks and social distancing guidelines are strictly enforced.

Don’t forget if you don’t want to come into the library to check out a book or movie, you can call 207-567-4147 and leave a detailed message (or better yet, call during open hours). We will have your books and movies checked out and ready for you and available on the porch. Items that are returned to the library are put in quarantine as per State guidelines, so you may have a little wait, but we’ll let you know when they are available.

SSCL needs you!

Volunteers needed at the Circulation Desk

Due to Covid-19 health concerns Stockton Springs Community Library has experienced a decline in the number of volunteers currently able to work during open library hours. To maintain 501(c)3 status, and with it the ability to secure much needed grants, SSCL needs to stay open 18 hours a week. You can help by working as little as one shift a month (shifts are 2 to 3 hours depending on the day). Two volunteers are needed for each shift. Complete training is provided. So are masks and gloves. So here’s your chance to live your secret dream of being a librarian! 

The library also needs volunteers to work in its lovely flower gardens. Even an hour or so once in awhile will help keep the weeds at bay. 

Please contact SSCL at 207-567-4147 or just stop by during open hours and let us know how you are able to help.  Thank you! 

Open library hours are Monday and Wednesday 3-5; Tuesday 4-7; Thursday 9-12 and 6:30-8:30; and Saturday 9-3.  Stockton Springs Community Library is an all volunteer library and membership is free to anyone from any community. 

Virtual Story Time with Ms. Patsy Baldus, Sat. July 18, 10:00 am on SSCL Facebook Live

Ms. Patsy Baldus, former teacher and Maine author, will read The “Wing Shop” by Elvira Woodruff, illustrated by Stephen Gammel. While published in 1991 this story has a timeless message of “there’s no place like home.” 

The little boy, Matthew, moves with his family to a new home, but he misses his old home, and wants to find a way to get back there. He stumbles on a  magical Wing Shop where a young girl outfits him with different animals or objects’ wings so he can fly. He has some crazy adventures  but is finally happy to fly back home. 

The virtual story hour will start with a wing craft that the kids will enjoy making at home. Next Ms. Baldus will read the story and will end with a simple writing activity to spark the young (ages 4 – 8) listener’s own creativity. The program should last around 20 minutes and will be filmed in “Mary’s Room” at the library.

Virtual Story Time will be aired live on Saturday, July 18, 2020 at 10:00 am on the Library’s Facebook Page. All you need to do is go to our Page and look for the live video. It will also be posted for viewing anytime at your convenience. Last month’s Virtual Story Time is available to watch on our Facebook page (under videos) and on our website  look for the tab “Online for Children.” We hope your children and grandchildren enjoy these virtual events and their time with you at home. 

Stockton Springs Community Library is an all volunteer library located in Stockton Springs, Maine. Membership is free to anyone from any community. Call us at 207-567-4147 if you have any questions about this event. 

Mac Smith to discuss “Peyton Place Comes Home to Maine” at SSCL

Mac Smith will talk about his newly published book “Peyton Place Comes Home to Maine” at the Stockton Springs Community Library (SSCL) on Sunday, July 12 @ 4 PM.  He will have books available for sale and also will be happy to sign your books.  There is no fee for this program.

To assure proper seating arrangements, seats are limited, reservations will be required, as will face coverings.

Mac Smith, author of newly released book "Peyton Place Comes Home to Maine"

Mac is a Stockton Springs native and lives in the village of Sandy Point.  He is a veteran of the First Gulf War and a former reporter for the Bar Harbor Times.

His first book “Mainer on the Titanic” is available to loan at SSCL.  He is currently working on his third book for Down East Books.

Please call the library at 207-567-4147 for reservations.  Our hours are Monday and Wednesday 3-5; Tuesday 4-7; Thursday 9-12 and 6:30-8:30; and Saturday 9-3.  Stockton Springs Community Library is an all volunteer library and membership is free to anyone from any community.

Search the SSCL library catalog from home

Stockton Springs Community Library has re-opened as of June 1, 2020 . Covid-19 related restrictions are in place to make the library a safe place for you, your family, and our volunteer library staff. 

The new rules are posted on the library door, our Facebook page, and website. Please call during library hours if you have questions or concerns. 

One way you can make your visit safer and faster is to search our catalog online and request items in advance of your visit.  Please allow sufficient time for a volunteer to fulfill your request. You can also check to see if an item is available before you come.The following slides provide instructions and examples on how to access the library catalog from our website.

SSCL-catalog-search-presentationDownload

Mac Smith previews his new book “Peyton Place Comes Home to Maine”

Mac Smith will be holding his first talk about his newly published book “Peyton Place Comes Home to Maine” at the Stockton Springs Community Library (SSCL) as soon as it is possible to hold a group event again in the library.


While we wait, he thought it might be fun to provide us with a “teaser” video of what we can expect. We are sure that as soon as you see this short video you will want to run out and buy the book for yourself! It is published by DownEast Books and is available everywhere good books are sold. You will be able to borrow it from the library after he regales us in person.

His first book “Mainers On The Titanic” is also available to purchase locally and online and is available for loan at SSCL.

Mac Smith is currently working on his third book for Down East Books, but don’t ask him what it’s about. You’re just going to have to wait to find out.

Mac Smith is a Navy veteran of the First Gulf War and former news reporter for the Bar Harbor Times, Mac Smith lives in Stockton Springs, Maine, in the village of Sandy Point, where he is restoring the family homestead.

The video presentation is available through this link

 SSCL_teaser_peytonplace_smith.mp4

(Unfortunately, the file is too large to post here.) You can also view the video presentation on our Facebook page under the Videos section.

If you have questions about his upcoming book talk at SSCL, please call us at 207-567-4147 or email us at stocktonstaff@stocktonsprings.lib.me.us